Computing-machine.



H. MARSHALL.

COMPUTING MACHINE APPLICATION mm ocnza, 19:1.

Eatented July 4, 1916.-

2 SHEETSSPEET I.

INVENTOR:

WlTNESSES:

ATTQR EY H. MARSHALL.

COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.2B.1911.

ERatented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

i FIG. 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR: flip/2M I BY AMM- 11mm ATTORN Y A UNITED sans rArnN OFFICE.

HOLMES MA S ALL, 50F PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSTGNOR, BY MESNE nssren- MENTs, T unnnawoon COMPUTING MACHINE COMPANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

QOMPUTING-MAGHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

To all whom' it may concern 7 Be it known thatl, HOLMES MAn's iALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New J e'rsey, h.ave invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Computing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This mvention relates to a pin-setting deyice, and more particularly to a machine in the close juxtaposition of the computing and dial wheels of a computing mechanism and also of the pins and. bars for determining the extent of movement of said wheels, While using a bank of operating keys, diffusedly located as compared with said pins and said wheels, and at the same time doing away with the complicated connections usually found between spread keys and compactly arranged computing wheels thereby obtaining a device which will be simple in construction, compact in form, inexpensive to manufactureand readily accessible both externally for the purpose of operating, and internally for the purpose of cleaning and repairing.

In the embodiment with which this invention is'illustrated, there is shown a plurality of pins capable of being set to accumulate the computation, each pin having a corresponding key, whereby itmay be actuated. These keys may be arranged in columns running from 1 to 9; and the keys may also be arranged transversely inrows of the same digits. It is preferable that the keys be spread out over a considerable area, so that the typist may have ready access to the samefand it is also advisable trally, Or more directly over. the pins or the corresponding plunger-s, a direct rigid connection is provided between the. keys and the plungers, whereby a downward movement of the keys will cause a movement of the plunger-s to set thecorresponding pins. In the case of the outer keys, which are offset a considerable distance from the correspondmg pins and plungers, connections are provided in the nature of compound levers. In order that the connections between the plungers and keys may not interfere with one another, they may be arranged at different levels, and the plunger-s and the stems of the keys made of various lengths, to allow for this difference in levelsof the connections.

The settable pins are located in groups or rows of nine, corresponding to the digits 1 to 9, on bars, which are' movable by a general operator. Thegeneral operator engages the set pins to move the bars different amounts according to which of the'pins are set. These bars are located close together and operate a series of closely col-' lected computing wheels which turn compactly arranged dial wheels to exhibit the particular computation run up by the keys.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section taken from front to rear of the machine. Fig. 2 is a top plan view broken away to three different underlying planes, to show the underlying structure. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view, partly in secti m,showing one of the pins in its set position, with one of the plungers'actuated to set the same. Fig. l is a fragmentary View,

showing the connection between several of the computing wheels and the corresponding dial wheels. Fig. 5 is a detail section, showing the means for operating the zero pin from the zero key. Fig. (5' is a detail perspective view showing the one-way clutch connection of one of the computing wheels.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of this invention, 1 indicates individual members of a compact series of dial' wheels, which have numerals printed thereon, so'that as they are rotated, they will successively exhibit, through an opening 2 ina I casing 3, these numbers, to register acomputation. Each of the dial wheels 1 is loosely mounted on a shaft 4, and is provided with a gear 5, rrhich meshes'with a gear 6 of a cause the gearlS to drive the gear 6,and thus the computing wheel 7, when it is rotated in one direction, and will permit the gear 8 'to rotate in the opposite direction, without rotating the gear 6.

The computing wheel 7 has a detent wheel 10, which is secured to the gear 6, and is.

engaged by a spring-pressed. detent 11, so as to prevent its accidental rotation. Each of the computing wheels 7 is provided with a special tooth 12, which, once in a revolution, will bring in play a tens-carrying mechanism, indicated generally at 13, which will rotate the next computing wheel a tenth of a revolution. This tens-carrying mechanism may be of any suitable character, such as that described in the patent to Hans Hanson, No. 905,421, dated December 1, 1908, and is connected so as to be operated by a rack 14 on a general operator 15, during the return motion of this general operator,

and so as to be ineffective during the initial motion of the generaloperator.

Each of the gears 8 meshes with an'individual rack 16 on rack bars 17. There is one of these rack bars 17 for each of the computing wheels andfor each of the dial wheels, and they are supported so as to permit a reciprocating motion rearwardly and forwardly, but are preferably free from any swinging motion. Each of the bars 17 is provided with a series of indexing or valuating pins 18, preferably nine in number, corresponding to the digits 1 to 9.

The pins 18 are mounted'in the bars 17,

so as to be capable of vertical movement, and

are normally held in their raised positions by spring-pressed detent balls 19, which engage grooves 20 in the pins 18. It will be seen, by reference to Fig. 3, that the pins 18 have enlarged heads 21, so that they cannot pass through the openings provided for them in the bars 17. Of course it is to be understood that the detent balls 19 cooperate with the grooves 20 in such a manner as to hold the pins 18 against accidental movement, but will not prevent the setting of the pins under a forced impulse. Inasmuch as all of the bars 17 are arranged closely together side-by-side, the pins 18, which are arranged in a row on each bar, will form a closely collected bank. These pins, when depressed into the position shown by one of the pins in Fig. 3, will determine the extent of movement to which each individual bar 17 is driven by the 'eneral operator 15. For this urpose, the general operator. 15' is provi ed with a cross bar 22, which will go a certain distance, without affecting any of the bars 17, until it comes into contact with the first pin thereon, which is depressed below its fellows. The forward movement of these bars, under the actuation of the general operator 15, will of course operate the computing wheels 7 and thus the dial wheels 1.

The bars 17 are returned in the opposite direction to' their normal positions by a cross bar 23, which is also secured to the general operator 15, and engages a depend-' ing lug 24 provided on each of the bars 17 The general operator 15 may obtain its movement in any suitable manner, as by be ing provided with one or more racks 25, engaged by a gear 26, which in turn meshes. with a segment 27 secured to suitable motive means, in this case indicated by an operating handle 28.

It is necessary to return the pins to their unset position after each operation of the device. For this purpose, the general oper ator 15 is provided with an actuator 29, shown in the form of a pivotally mounted trip, which is normally held against a stop 30 by means of a spring 31, which, however, will yield, to permit the actuator 29, during the initial forward movement of the general operator, to slip by the arm 32 secured to a shaft 33. During the return motion of the general operator 15, the actuator 29 is notfree to move any great extent. because of the stop 30, so that the inclined upper end of the actuator 29 will rock the arm 32, and thus rock, through the intermediary of the shaft 33, a second arm 31, which is secured to the shaft 33. This arm 34 engages an extension 35 on a clearing plate 36. The clearing plate 36 is mounted on a pair of bell cranks 37 connected by a link 38, so that when it swings upwardly, it will always remain horizontal. This clearing plate 36 underlies all of the computing pins 18, and will return them to their uppermost position, when actuated. so that the detents 19 may retain them in this unset position.

For the purpose of setting the pins 18, there are provided a series of plungers 39 mounted to slide vertically in ways provided therefor in a guide block 40. The lower ends of these plungers project below the bottom of the guide block 10, and are arranged in opposition to the ends of the pins 18, there being one plunger for each pin. In order to hold the plungers in their normal raised position, they may be reduced, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, and provided at this point with spiral springs 11. which abut at one end against the guide block 40 and at the other end against the shoulder formed on each plunger by the reduction in diameter. For the purpose of operating each plunger, and thus setting each pin, there is provided an individual key it; that is to tance.

, offset connection.

say, there is one of these keys for each of the pins, and they are designated by numerals ranging from 1 to 9 and arranged in columns in progressive order. The keys are also arranged transversely in rows of the same digits.

It will be seen that in order to enable the keys to be readily. seen and manipulated by the typist, they must be of sufiicient magnitude, and must be spread apart a certain dis- It is therefore necessary that the keys be' spread out over a greater area than the plungers 39 and the pins 18, so that some of the keys 42 will oflset, that is to say, out of alinement with their corresponding pins -.and plungers. In order to connect the keys with the plungers, and thus so that they may actuate a corresponding pin, it has been found advisable, inthis case, to arrange the connections at different levels. To allow for this difference in'level of the connections, the keys 42 are provided'with stems 43 of different lengths. That is to say, the outer keys have longer stems than the inner keys, and

the length varying according to the level of the particular connection between the particularkey and its plunger. To further correspond with this difference in level of the connections, the outer plungers are made shorter than the inner plungers, as will be readily seen'by reference to Fig. 1.

Now as to the particular type of connection between the keys and the plungers, it

has been found possible with such keys as are centrally located, that is to say, more nearly above or in register with the plungers 39 and the pins 18, that a direct rigid connection can be made by means of bars 44:, which are secured to the lower ends of the stems of the keys and to the top ends of the corresponding plungers. Of course certain of the keys, such aS that indicated at 45, can be directly connected tothe top of the plunger without the necessity of an intermediate In the case'ot the outer keys, that is to say, those which are considerably ollset with respect to their corresponding plunger-s, a compound leverage connection 46 is used, which is shown to em body a lever 47, pivoted intermediate its ends at 48 and underlying, at its outer end, the stem 43 of the corresponding key. The inner end'of each of these levers 47 is con nected by a pin-and-slot connection 49 to the outer end of another lever 50, which is also pivoted intermediate its ends at 51, and rests on the top of the corresponding plunger 39. Inasmuch as the levers 47 and 50 of the compound lever 46 are exactly equal and reverse the leverage, a. depression of one of the outer keys will cause a corresponding depression of the plunger actuated thereby. While. the springs 41 might be depended upon to raise the keys to their normal po- Sitions, it may beadvisable to provide addi-' 1 to 9 The means for causing this ac.-

tionmay be of any suitable character, such as that shown in the Hanson patent abovementioned, and forms no part of this'inventron.

To set the pins 5%, there is provided a key 56, which has a support 57, which operates, directly, a compound lever 58, withoutthe use of an intermediary plunger. The stem 57 of the key 56 may be connected by a pinand-slot connection 59 to one lever 60 of the compound lever. This lever 60 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 61, and engages at its inner end by a pin-and-slot con nection 62 with another lever 63, which also is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 64, and overlies the zero pin 54, so as to be capable of depressing the same. The compound lever and the key 56 may be returned to normal position by a spring 65 resting on a fixed portion of the casing 66, and engagin; a collar 67 provided on the stem 57.

The various connections between the plun gersand the keys may be divided, if desired, by partitions 68 and 69, which may form supports for the tulcrums of the compound levers, and which also may support the guiding block 40.

It will thus be seen that a rather closely collected bank of computing pins may be operated, throughthe intermediary of offsetting connections, from a bank of keys, one of which is provided for each pin, the keys being rather difi'usedly located with respect to the pins, and arranged-incolumns from 1 to 97- and rows of the same digits. The pins, when set, determine the extent of movement of closely adjacent individual bars,,which operate compactly arranged individual computing and dial wheels, to ex hibit the result-ofany con' putation carried out by the striking of the Various keys.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

.Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a closely collectedset of computing pins, of a set of keys ar ing in the nature of compound levers acting indirectly to transmit the movement of certain of said keys to certain of said pins.

2. The combination with a closely collected set of computing pins, of a set of keys arranged diifusedly with respect to said pins for operating said pins, and centripetal connections extending from said keys to said pins; certain of said connections being in the nature of compound levers acting indirectly to transmit themovement of said keys to certain of said pins.

3. The combination with a plurality of pins, of plungers for setting said pins, keys for operating said plungers, connections between said keys and said plungers, said connection being arranged at di-iierent levels to avoid interference with one another, and said plungers being all of variable lengths, to allow for the difference in level of said connections, and aid keys also having stems of different magnitude, to allow for the difference in level of said connections; some of said connections being rigidly secured to both said plungers and said stems, and others of said connections acting indirectly to transmit the movement of certain of said keys to certain of said plunger-s.

4:. The combination with a plurality of pins, of plungers for setting said pins, keys for operating said plungers, connections beween said keys and said plungers, said con nections being arranged at different levels 'to' avoid interference with one another, and said plunger's being all of variable lengths, to allow tor the difference in level of said connections, and said keys also having stems of difierent magnitude, to allow for the difference in level of saidconnections; some of said co-nneotions being rigidly secured to both said plungers and said stems, and others of said connections acting indirectly to transmit the movement of certain of'said keys to certain of said plungers, and springs for returning said keys to their normal unactuated positions.

5. The combination with a plurality of pins, 31? a plurality of plungers for setting said pins, a plurality of keys for operating said plungers,.springs for returning said plungers to their normal positions, rigid connections between certain of said keys and certain of said plungers, and loose connec tions between certain of said keys and certain of said plungers,

.6..T he combination with a plurality of pins, of a plurality of plungers for setting said pins, a plurality of keys for operating said plungers, springs for returning said plungers to their normal positions, rigid connections between certain of said keys and certain of said plun 'ers, loose connections between certain of said keys and certain of plunger-s, to their normal positions.

7. The combination with a plurality of pins, of a plurality of plungers for setting said pins, keys for actuating said plungers, and rigid connections between certain of said plungers and certain of said keys, cnabling said certain keys to be located offset, relative to the corresponding plunger-s.

8. The combination with a pin, of a pliinger for engaging said pin to set the same, a lever resting on said plunger, a lever for op,- erating said first-mentioned lever, and a key for-operating said last-mentioned lever.

9. The combination with a computing pin, of a plunger for setting said pin, a lever, pivoted intermediate its ends, resting on. said plunger and adapted to actuate the same, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having a pin-arul-slot connection with said first-mentioned lever, and a key having a stem resting on said last-mentioned lever and adapted to actuate said pluhger through said levers.

10. The combination with a pin, of a lever for setting said pin, overlying said pin at one of its ends, and being pivoted intermediate its ends, a second lever having a pin-and-slot connection with said first-mentioned lever, and a key having a stem with pin-and-slot connection with said lastmentioned lever, whereby said key may 01)- erate said levers to set said pin.

11. The con'ibination with a closely collected set of pins settable to determine a computation, of a diffusely spread set of numeral keys one for each of said pins, said pins being subj acent said keys and lying corresponding distances within the outer margins of the area inclosing said keys from the sides thereof, the inner keys being more nearly directly above the corresponding pins and the outer keys being more widely out of line with the corresponding pins, rigid connections between the inner keys and the inner pins, and loose connections between the outer keys and the outer pins.

12. The combination with a set of somewhat closely grouped pins settable to deter- HOLMES MARSHALL.

WVitnesses C. RrrLnY, K. FRANKFORT. 

